Nikon D5300 Review

JPEG Tone Curves /Dynamic Range

Our Dynamic Range measurement system involves shooting a calibrated Stouffer Step Wedge (13 stops total range) which is backlit using a daylight balanced lamp (98 CRI). A single shot of this produces a gray scale wedge from the camera's clipped white point down to black (example below). Each step of the scale is equivalent to 1/3 EV (a third of a stop), we select one step as 'middle gray' (defined as 50% luminance) and measure outwards to define the dynamic range. Hence there are 'two sides' to our results, the amount of shadow range (below middle gray) and the amount of highlight range (above middle gray).

To most people highlight range is the first thing they think about when talking about dynamic range, that is the amount of highlight detail above middle gray the camera can capture before it clips to white. Shadow range is more complicated; in our test the line on the graph stops as soon as the luminance value drops below our defined 'black point' (about 2% luminance) or the signal-to-noise ratio drops below a predefined value (where shadow detail would be swamped by noise), whichever comes first.

Note: this page features our interactive dynamic range comparison widget.The wedges below the graph are created by our measurement system from the values read from the step wedge, the red lines indicate approximate shadow and highlight range (the dotted line indicating middle gray).

Cameras Compared

With Active D-Lighting turned off, which it is by default, the D5300 gives a nice S-shaped tone curve, with a gentle roll-off to both highlight and shadows. The comparison chart below shows its results against the competition - the Canon EOS Rebel T5i (700D), and two mirrorless APS-C cameras, the Fujifilm X-M1 and Sony NEX-6.

The D5300 reproduces more highlight tones at default settings than the Canon T5i, but turning on HTP mode puts the T5i ahead. Turning all of the default cameras compared here to their highest settings shows the D5300 with a wider tone curve than the T5i and NEX-6. It reproduces more shadow detail than the XM-1 but that camera goes straight off the chart on the highlight side.

DR Modes

Active D-Lighting is available in four levels - Low, Normal, High and Extra High, as well as Auto. Unlike HDR modes, ADL modes can be used in Raw + JPEG shooting modes. Because the camera will make slight adjustments to the exposure parameters (reducing the amount of light captured to prevent highlight detail clipping), there is a slight impact on the Raw files. However, only using Nikon's 'Capture' software will allow you to apply the adaptive tonal response that the camera's JPEG engine offers.

Comparing 'Off' to the next step up, 'Low' shows that only shadow tone is affected at this setting and highlights are left relatively untouched. 'Normal' uses an exposure change to boost highlights about a third of a stop and 'High' pushes them another third of a stop, leaving shadows at the same level. 'Extra high' pushes shadows and highlights and approaches an HDR-type treatment in the scene below, offering about a stop gain in highlights and almost two stops in shadow tone. In our studio test 'Auto' applied a correction identical to 'High,' but in our real-world demonstration the 'Auto' mode has selected the 'Normal' mode.

heloo i everyone i am new in cameras life. And i want to know that which camera should i buy .i think may be d5300 is good. is it some one say me thats thers a problem with this cam .is it good or not please tell me

Hello, I have a D5300 cam and having a problem whenever I take photos in our Services, because the stage has a LED Screen as a Background and whenever I take a picture, the outcome of the LED Screen is changing with every Zoom-In/Out, thus affecting the quality of the picture. I've tried to adjust the ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed but there is still a problem Any suggestions you can give? My Lenses are 18-55 VR II, and 55-300 VR.

I have Nikon D5300 and I want to buy (Sigma 18-200mm art) lens, 1. is it compatible with Nikon D53002. will it support the auto-focus if attached to D5300 or no?3. Is the sharpness of this lens OK ? or no?

Both are DX. So is the D7xxx series. So, it boils down to your budget and your affinity to upgrade. If you don't want to upgrade often, D5300 should last you for a few years. If you can stretch it a little, would suggest to go for a D7xxx series camera (D7100 and above) you will get similar functions as a full frame and some more. Eventually if you do move to a full frame, you will feel at home.

Also, you need to buy lenses (AF-S) with auto focus motor in them, to avoid manual focus on the 3xxx and 5xxx series. These cost more than the AF lenses.

The D5300 is a good camera to own and use, though. You can spend that money on some quality lenses. That will take you some distance. Another suggestion avoid DX lenses, if you do want to upgrade to a full frame eventually. Same lens can be used.

I currently own a D5300; not quite a year old. I am 75 Years old and find this camera terribly hard to use. For me a nice Point and shoot with ann optical viewfinder and no worry over ISO, Video, White Balance. I have D-70 kit lens and a Nikor 55-200 with VR but have never been happy. Any suggestions?

If you want to sell the camera body I can perhaps get you into the Point & shoot. If it is a U.S.Nikon warranty not a gray market camera body Let me know skullman69@excite.comI understand the camera & need the Body & a 18-140 lens for a travel camera.

I have a D5300 (new) and used Nikkor AF-S 18-200 VR (first version). I bought this camera because I was not happy with my Lumix GH1 low light stills capabilities AND because - reading THIS review - I thought the video capabilities should be OK for me as amateur point and shoot family father.

But for me (no rigs, no external mic) it is unusable because the autofocus is too loud for the internal mic and because the focus is not smooth (needs several iteration to focus). And I do not want to focus manually on my moving children ..

Example: If I move slowly around a room (in continuos AF mode) the AF will be in continuos motion, needing several iterations to focus (on an object 3meters away you can see the focus scale on the lens going at least two times between infinity and 1meter until it focusses) , and always generating that zzzt - zzzt - noise that is messing up the video.

You can set the camera to single AF mode, pre-focus and start shooting, half-pressing on the shutter button to re-focus as needed, that way you won't have the focus motor whirring endlessly throughout your shooting. Unfortunately, all Nikon DSLRs behave like your D5300 in continuous AF mode while taking videos, and the noise level from the focusing motor depends on each lens. Only way to isolate this noise is to use an accessory microphone.

Hello.Someone could help me , I 'm new to the world of cameras and I am torn between the Nikon D5300 and Canon Rebel T5i , I would like to take landscape photos, portraits , sports , light effects , etc ... Which is better night photographs ? Which of the two could get a variety of pictures and effects?And that give lasting are each?Would greatly appreciate your opinion out of this big question .

Till date I have contended with superzooms like Sony HX100V or Nikon Coolpix P600. The telephoto shots while Birding in AF could not satisfy me in terms of their quality. Planning to start Birding with a real DSLR. If I go for Nikon D5300, which single lens should I buy for both sedentary and flying birds (apart from a kit lens like 18-55 mm)? Is the focus tracking ability of this camera good?

In response to those interested in the Nikkor 28-300mm/f3.5-5.6 lens, I will say it is a fine lens but weighs just under 2 lbs (30 oz.) and costs almost $1000. Compared to the nice, lightweight $119 Nikkor 55-200mm/f3.5-5.6 VR, it's really a no-brainer for me.

If you're more comfortable having the U.S warranty, you can buy the identical camera with 2 year U.S. warranty for about $200 more. Regarding lenses, if I had to choose only one lens, it would undoubtably be the 35mm/f1.8 VR. This fixed (prime) lens gives you the wide aperture to shoot in low light with no flash. It produces photos that are most like what the eyes see in real life.

I chose the 55-200mm/f3.5-5.6 VR as a good "carry around" lens for shooting short, medium, and longer fields of view - and of course that lovely "bokeh" effect (blurry background, sharp subject). Also, importantly, this lens weighs about 11.4 oz - half the weight (and price) of the 18-200mm. 18-200mm is about 1.2 lbs/20 oz. and about $550 retail. Incidentally, the 55-200 is actually 82.5-300mm (full format equivalent).

I've never been happier with a new camera, than I am with my Nikon D5300. I've been a shutterbug for decades, and there is little reason to spend more for an all-around fantastic camera. Ignore categories like entry level/pro, etc when considering a camera of this quality. It's the photographer and lenses that produce great photos.

I got the camera body for $499 (with no U.S. warranty) from RedTag Camera in Brooklyn, NY. After adding a Nikon/Nikkor 35mm/f1.8 VR prime lens ($139) and a 32gb card, filters, extra battery, macro/zoom attachments, camera bag, etc -- then a refurbished 55-200mm VR Nikkor lens from the Nikon site ($119), my total was $850.Continued...

Fujifilm X-A1/X-A2Because the ISO peformance surprisingly very good peformance base on the price.Iso 100-6400 is almost noise free, there is a very little noise in 12800 but not enough to ruin image quality :D

Fujifilm X-A1/X-A2Because the ISO peformance surprisingly very good peformance base on the price Noise Iso 100-6400 is almost absense, there is a very little noise in 12800 but still noit enough to ruin image quality :D

With a small difference of $100 Nikon d7100 makes a better choice. The Nikon d5300 need a price drop to justify buying it. In the end you are buying a camera and it has to have significant changes between the Nikon d5200 which has almost the same specifications.

I traded in a Sony A6000 for a Nikon D5300 and never looked back. The lenses available for Nikon Dx are in a totally different league than those for e-mount. Between my lightweight Nikon 18-300mm f/6.3 and Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 I have both daylight and night conditions covered in two perfectly convenient solutions. With the A6000 I had to switch lenses more for lesser quality results.

Needing help please. I'm considering the D5300 but don't want to constantly change lenses, especially in dusty environments. It was suggested that I get the D5300 with a 16-300 Tamron lens. Has anyone had experience with this. Can I use all the needed features of the camera with the lens? Thank you.

I've recently purchased the D5300 upgrading from the Nikon D90, and I'm loving it! I've been using a 25-300mm Nikkor Lens and haven't changed it since removing the original Kit lens. I didn't realize how much I really appreciate having the built in WiFi feature either, but if it matters to you, It works great! The jump up in pixels from my D90 is noticeable and the additional functions that the D5300 has is fun.Hope this helps give some perspective!

Hi Bigdawglor -- With the built-in WiFi on the D5300, are you able to see a Live view on your laptop or tablet while you are composing a photo? When I work with a food photo stylist, she would like to see the scene on the larger screen before the photo is taken so she can make adjustments in styling. Thanks!

I currently have a Nikon D90 and considering the D5300. Although I like the D90, the higher megapixel appeals to me. Is the expense worth it? I use the camera for travel and family events. The reviews of the D7100 are impressive, but difficult to justify the expense for my purpose. I have no interest in the video aspect of the camera.

Can anyone enlighten me as I am going to purchase a new DSLR for me. I am a motorcyclist who ride a lot in mountains and countryside, and require a good camera which can shoot good pics. I have in my mind a Canon D60 (Old and proven but also heard a lot about its durability) and a Nikon D5300 a latest in the series. I used to use a point and shoot camera before but its not sufficient anymore. I also checked and found that Canon has a inbuilt motor and Nikon don't have so lens with motors are required for Nikon. Please advise.

Nikon cameras are as good if not better than the competition. I have had the D90, D600 and am currently using the D5100 as my everyday camera and the D800 for more serious photo. The D5300 follows the D5200, hence, is the third iteration to my D5100.

Without knowing your experience in photography and your budget to this purchase. I limit answer SPECIFICALLY to your question:

YES, the Nikon D5300 is a VERY GOOD camera.

If you provide relevant information about your photography experience, your intended use, then I would help you decide the alternatives.

I already own a Bridge camera, namely Sony DSC HX300 (with 50X zoom) that takes pretty good and impressive pics. However, I am looking for a DSLR now. I don't have a massive budget, and I mainly take nature and wildlife shots. I don't really do portraits or fashion or food.

Technically, I am not great when it comes to a DSLR. I need a good camera that offers a good low light condition.

Buying our first DSLR for a big trip of oz next year. We are leaning towards the Nikon D5300 over the Canon 700D, but during research found a comment that the colours in Nikon pics are not good, particularly for landscapes as the green is terrible. Can someone that has a Nikon clarify this point and any other facts we should consider? Any feedback is welcome. Thanks!

More likely than not, you might have bought your DSLR by now. If not, my experience with Nikon d5100 is nothing but great. D5300 is the third iteration to D5100. Friends who saw my D5100 bought their D5200 and D5300. I do not know anything about the Canon D700D but can assure you that you would not go wrong with either camera.

I just bought a D5300 and it's a perfect camera except for lack of in built motor, CLS (commander mode), and Auto FP sync. I can't get over this whole "going pro" statements I'm seeing below. I just want the lightest camera with full features. D7100 doesn't even offer wifi, gps, articulated screen, or 60p video. What's the upgrade path if I need all these 4 things for someone who's used a DSLR since 2008? I hate how Nikon calls this camera a beginner's tool. It's absolutely ridiculous. I really, really need 60p video for slow motion shots. To upgrade to full frame would not make sense. To go to D7100 is not going "pro", it's a downgrade for me. People here are so dense, and don't look at the big picture. D7100 is using a expeed 3 processor with slower processing. My D5300 can skim through pictures in milliseconds. Nikon, please rethink the upgrade path in your camera line. It makes no sense as of July 28th, 2014.

@shirmphead - NO, you are NOT a "shirmphead". Your comment make very good points. Before I buy ANY major purchase, I research the items and alternatives. My experience in photography dates back to late 1950s. My experience with Digital photography started in 2001 with a simple Point & Shoot. Bought my first state of the art serious DSLR in 2004, the Nikon D90. At that time, it was considered a PRO camera. My next Nikon purchase maybe called either an upgrade or downgrade, I don't care either way, was the D5100. Followed by a D600 and now a D800. The D5100 is my everyday camera. Despite all the very good features and very good results this D5100 has going for it, it is still a mid-level DSLR.

With that said, I am not offended by the terms "beginners camera", entry level, mid-level, enthusiast level, pro-level designation. I suggest you shrug-off the terms because it does not mean anything. What matter is the enjoyment you get from making the shots that matters to you.

YES but only in MANUAL mode. Caveat: If the lens has the meter mating fork, remove that fork.

I have Nikkor lenses circa 1976 and I use those lenses on my Nikon D5100, D600 and D800 - - - all in MANUAL mode only. Goggle NIKON lens compatibly and you will see matrix of Nikkor lenses and Nikon bodies compatibility table.

The letter D following the f/number suggests your lens has a hole that house the slot of the screw head that mate with the spade of the high-end Nikon DSLR. I don't think the D5300 has that spade to drive the autofocus gears of the lens.

I tried the Canon 700d, Nikon D7100 and others but decided on a D5300 after much deliberation. I went for the 18-140 as a size/range compromise. The camera has been great and has exceeded my expectations. It is nicely weighty and feels better made than the competition. The lack of buttons compared to the D7100 and touch screen compared to the Canon has not bothered me. I use the camera in the 'old fashioned' way and have it up to my face most of the time. I find the button position to be ideal. I have two fingers on the right side top for shutter and exposure adjustment and on the left side I have one on the FN button which is assigned to ISO which I can adjust on the fly. I use a 2 sec regularly in low light but the camera is set to 10. It isn't in the manual but I found it in a menu and 2 secs is now my default. The low light performance at high ISOs is better than I expected. Check the DXO Mark website for comparisons with other makes. Overall I am very pleased with my D5300.

I am looking to get a new camera preferably Nikon or Canon. I'm looking at the D5300 and liking it so far, however I'm very new to these kinds of cameras and wondering what a good lens would be for it? One not terribly expensive, but still good quality. You can reply at Kelbi_Princess93@yahoo.com

The best lens for a crop frame camera like a Nikon D5300 is the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8. It is not exactly cheap but not that expensive either, below $1,000. It will give you very sharp photos. If you need more telephoto power you can go for the new Nikon 70-200 f/4.0. Don't waste your money on cheap lenses. This two lenses will be enough for most situation.

WHY DOES EVERY ONE GET THIS WRONG? The D5300 has TWO function buttons, not one. The second one is located on the front left, underneath the flash command button. That way, shutter speed, ISO and aperture are all easily accessible.

I want to get the Nikon D5300 but I'm not sure what lens to get since its a DX-format camera. I would definitely love if someone can help me chose a good lens to go with the camera. Also, I would love to know if a non-DX lens would work well with the camera. I'm not a fan of DX lens. Thank you in advance!

I have the 18-140, I use it on a D7000 and it is a very good lens. If you buy it with the D5300 (kit) you'll save a couple of hundred dollars as it retails for $599. I also have the 40mm 2.8 micro (macro) and it is a very sharp lens, of course it is not as flexible as the 18-140 but optically much better.

These are the lenses I finally decided upon: 1. For everyday, the new Sigma 1.8 18 to 35. I have had no trouble with the autofocus on this lens. Compared to every other lens out there, this lens delivers just incredibly sharp detail, and its ability to go to 1.8 f makes the camera useable for indoor low light shots. $799 2. For wide angle get the tokina 11-16 2.8 that just came out. $525. These two lenses will take your photography to levels you won't believe until you see. I have not yet found a long end lens that equals these. For the time being, the 18-140 nikon is probably the best choice. (I have it but rarely use it because of how much I like the sigma.)

I am graduating from a bridge camera to a DSLR. Have been a hobby photographer for many years primarily doing landscape photography but I do it only when on a vacation that would be twice a year. I was a little confused whether to buy a Canon 700D or a Nikon D5300. I have always used Canon cameras before and after going thru many reviews comparing the two cameras I am not wiser. I also understand that once one buys a DSLR one continues to buy cameras of that family so that it can save money on lenses. Assuming that the quality of photos is not much different in the two cameras is the touch screen in 700D so useful that I should buy a Canon or the WIFI-GPS so important in the Nikon. As there anything else that help me decide between the two. Your advice would be most helpful.Tx. You can reply directly on my mail - drkpsanghvi@gmail.com

Hi Kishore, I am still under the same confusion as you are. I havent bought anything yet. So finally which one did you buy? Please also let me know your decision ... and you can reply me directly at chandansehgal@gmail.com

More about gear in this article

Nikon has released firmware version 1.01 for its D5300 and D5500 cameras. Both updates add support for the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18–55mm F3.5–5.6G VR and AF-P DX NIKKOR 18–55mm F3.5–5.6G lenses, Nikon's first DX lenses to offer stepping motors. Read more

A few years ago, the idea of a DSLR under $1000 was just a distant dream, but these days the financial bar to entry is much lower than it was in the past. Here's our list of the top five interchangeable lens cameras that we'd currently recommend for under $1000 - including a kit zoom lens.

The Nikon D5300 presents an entry-level photographer with some serious specifications, starting with a 24 megapixel APS-C sensor. It shapes up to be quite the formidable DX-format camera with 1080/60p HD video recording, built-in Wi-Fi/GPS, a 39-point AF system and a flip-out LCD. It's not short on features, but do its handling and image quality match the tall specs list? Read our full review

The following real-world gallery and test scene shots were first published in our 2013 Camera Roundups, but we're highlighting the Nikon D5300 again in case you missed it the first time around since we're working toward a full review in 2014. The D5300 is Nikon's latest evolution of the D5200 by removing the optical low-pass filter (OLPF) and adding a handful of other features. See gallery

Several new DSLRs were announced in 2013, even as mirrorless cameras nipped at their heels in the entry-level and enthusiast segment of the market. Among the new DSLRs released this year were a handful of iterative updates to existing models, but also some all-new contenders, including Canon's high-tech EOS 70D and Nikon's entirely unconventional (or perhaps that should be entirely traditional) Df. Click through to check out the selection, and cast your vote.

Latest in-depth reviews

The Fujifilm X-H1 is a top-of-the-range 24MP mirrorless camera with in-body stabilization and the company's most advanced array of video capabilities. We've tested the X-T2's big brother extensively to see how it performs.

Panasonic's Lumix DC-GX9 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera that offers quite a few upgrades over its predecessor, with a lower price tag to boot. We've spent the weekend with the GX9 and have plenty of thoughts to share, along with an initial set of sample photos.

Panasonic's new premium compact boasts a 24-360mm equiv. F3.3-6.4 zoom lens, making it the longest reaching 1"-type pocket camera on the market. We spent a little time with it; read our first impressions.

Latest buying guides

Quick. Unpredictable. Unwilling to sit still. Kids really are the ultimate test for a camera's autofocus system. We've compiled a short list of what we think are the best options for parents trying to keep up with young kids, and narrowed it down to one best all-rounder.

Landscape photography isn't as simple as just showing up in front of a beautiful view and taking a couple of pictures. Landscape shooters have a unique set of needs and requirements for their gear, and we've selected some of our favorites in this buying guide.

If you're a serious enthusiast or working pro, the very best digital cameras on the market will cost you at least $2000. That's a lot of money, but generally speaking these cameras offer the highest resolution, the best build quality and the most advanced video specs out there, as well as fast burst rates and top-notch autofocus.

Are you a speed freak? Hungry to photograph anything that goes zoom? Or perhaps you just want to get Sports Illustrated level shots of your child's soccer game. Keep reading to find out which cameras we think are best for sports and action shooting.

At this year's CP+ show in Yokohama, we sat down with senior executives from several major manufacturers, including Canon. Topics of conversation included Canon's ambitions for high-end mirrorless cameras, and the importance of responding to the demands of the smartphone generation.

We were recently able to follow local frame builder Max Kullaway as he created one of his AirLandSea bikes. Here are our picks of the photos we got, as the project progressed from bare tubes all the way to rideable bicycle.

On paper, the Sony a7 III is a tempting option for photographers who've been considering a switch to full-frame mirrorless. But how does its image quality stack up? We compare it to the Mark II and a few of its other peers.

Google Lens uses artificial intelligence and 'computer vision' to identify and provide information about businesses, landmarks and other objects using your phone's camera. And now it's available for iPhone users, too.

In the job posting, the Times' describes this role as "one of the most important and high-profile jobs in visual journalism." If you're looking for a high profile job in photojournalism, you could do a lot worse than being Photo Director at The Gray Lady.

According to a recent report out of South Korea, Samsung is increasing production of its ISOCELL image sensors in a bid towards market leadership for image sensors. To reach this goal, Samsung will have to dethrone current market leader Sony... no small task.

In this video, large format photographer Ben Horne shows off the incredible resolving power of 8x10 slide film by pixel peeping a massive 709.6-megapixel drum scan of one of his landscape shots. And you thought 100MP medium format was big...

Photographer Wendy Teal tells the heart-breaking story of a wedding she shot at a hospital on just 24-hours notice. The mother of the bride had been given one week to live, and Wendy responded to the couple's desperate social media plea for someone to capture their special day.

Syrp has announced the Magic Carpet Pro: a slider that offers filmmakers an 'infinitely extendable' range thanks to built-in track levers that let you connect lengths of track without the use of tools.

At CP+ we sat down with executives from several major manufacturers. Among them was Kenji Tanaka, of Sony, who talked to us about the a7 III as well as its plans to attract more pro shooters – without ignoring APS-C and entry-level customers.

How do you shoot macro photography on an 18x24cm large format wet plate camera? You 'connect' two large format cameras together! That's how wet plate photographer Markus Hofstaetter did it, and you can read about the whole process in this article.

The Fujifilm X-H1 is a top-of-the-range 24MP mirrorless camera with in-body stabilization and the company's most advanced array of video capabilities. We've tested the X-T2's big brother extensively to see how it performs.

Motorsports photojournalist Jamey Price recently flew to Canada with Lamborghini for the car company's Winter Accademia 2018, where clients get to drive the latest Lamborghini supercars on snow and ice. Yes... it is exactly as awesome as it sounds.

For the Pixel 2 smartphone's Motion Photos feature, Google built on its existing Motion Stills technology by adding advanced stabilization that combines software and hardware capabilities to optimize trimming and stabilization.

"After his camera was stolen from his room in the orphanage, he switched to an iPhone for his photography, reasoning that the image quality of a big, heavy camera was less important than the freedom of a cell phone. 'Quality? Screw it, I’d sketch things with a pencil if I could draw,' he wrote in a blog post."

Chinese manufacturer Vivo has announced some AI-powered Super HDR tech to compete with Google's HDR+ system. Both systems combine multiple images to create a final shot with more dynamic range and less noise, but Super HDR claims to do so more intelligently.

The 'semantic image segmentation model' categorizes every pixel in an image and assigns it a label, such as “road”, “sky”, “person” or “dog.” And now, Google has released its latest version as open source, making it available to any developers whose apps could benefit from the tech.